braces, a brace

[Untaught88]

Hi,

Which one is correct?

"He is wearing braces or a brace".

 

[teechar]

Both are possible. What kind of brace/braces are you talking about?

 

[Untaught88]

To fasten teeth.

 

[Rover_KE]

My dentist, Phil Macavity, tells me that braces is more commonly used these days for the device to straighten teeth.

We also use braces (AE suspenders) to hold up our trousers (AE pants) and socks/stockings.

 

[teechar]

To [STRIKE]fasten[/STRIKE] straighten/align teeth.

Either "brace" or "braces" is okay.

 

[emsr2d2]

For me, if someone had just one band of metal across their top teeth (this was the most common type when I was a kid), we said "She wears a brace" or "She's got a brace". Some kids had them on their top and bottom teeth. In that case, I'd have said "She wears braces [top and bottom]".